Street Angel: A Centennial Classic Chinese Film Story - Text and Images

Author: Chen Xiaohong (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-10-01
Features: The story takes place in Shanghai in the autumn of 1935. On this day, the sky was overcast, gloomy, and oppressive. Skyscrapers stood tall along the Huangpu River. Dressed in fine attire, the upper-class society strolled past, entering neon-lit hotels or wandering through lush green villas, creating a lively and prosperous scene. Below the towering buildings, however, was a starkly different reality. In the dark, narrow alleys stood low-rise, humble houses where impoverished lower-class citizens struggled to survive with empty stomachs. Suddenly, a rhythmic beat of a Western drum broke the silence. It was the procession welcoming a bride moving down the street. At the front of the procession was an ancient Chinese ceremonial guard: drummers, flag bearers, horse riders, lantern carriers, carriers of "Joy" banners, and umbrella bearers. Behind them came Chinese and Western orchestras. The bride’s party rode on horseback, with an ornate, ancient sedan chair trailing behind. The Western orchestra stood out prominently in the procession, with musicians wearing matching uniforms and the conductor walking at the forefront. Xiao Chen, a Western orchestra (trumpeter), walked among the crowd. He carried a trumpet under his left arm, his cap tilted backward on his head, and appeared to be in his early twenties. He was tall and slender, with a delicate face, a strand of long hair across his forehead, and dressed in Western-style orchestra attire. In the crowd, he looked up and around, as if searching for someone. When someone behind him bumped him with an instrument, he quickly picked up his trumpet and began to play along with the orchestra, his notes sharp and high-pitched. He played for only a moment before realizing something was wrong, took the trumpet in his hands again, shook it slightly, and finally managed to play in tune. The ceremonial guard, the Chinese and Western orchestras, and the sedan chair continued to move down the street. This hybrid procession, blending both Chinese and Western elements, with its mixed music, gave off an awkward and incongruous feeling. The sidewalks were packed with onlookers, people squeezing through doors, windows, staircases, upper-story glass windows, and balconies to watch the spectacle. Posters like "Mass Discount" and "Great Sacrifice" fluttered in the air. Old Wang, the news vendor, held a stack of newspapers and called out to sell them. He was in his early thirties, with a sturdy and honest appearance. He spotted Xiao Chen in the Western orchestra and waved his newspaper to greet him, "Hey! Hey!" As he called out, Old Wang hurried over in three quick steps. When a customer asked for a newspaper, he fumbled for the money and forgot to hand over the paper. The customer shouted, and only then did he remember, turning around to give the newspaper. Old Wang finally squeezed up to Xiao Chen and walked along with the orchestra. Xiao Chen continued to play, seemingly focused, when suddenly Old Wang stepped on his foot, causing his shoe to fall off. In pain, Xiao Chen groaned and leaned against the roadside, rubbing his foot with his mouthing. Old Wang whispered something to Xiao Chen, but just as they were talking, eight burly men lifted the sedan chair and approached them. Taking the opportunity, they lifted the curtain and peered inside. The bride sat there like a clay figurine, her bulging eyes fixed firmly on the ground. As they watched, Xiao Chen seemed to be possessed, his black eyes narrowing, and his face taking on the exact same vacant, wooden expression as the bride. The bride’s "beauty" truly left him speechless. Old Wang quickly blew on Xiao Chen, patted his face, and shook him, but...